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(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 1. E. M. T. BODDAM. PRODUUING AND STORING GAS UNDER HIGHPRESSURE. No. 605,217.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. E. M. T. BODDAM.

PEODUCING AND STOEING GAS UNDER EIGE PRESSURE. No. 605,217. PatentedJune 7,1898.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet; 3.

E. M. T. BODDAM. PRODUGING AND STORING GAS UNDER HIGH PRESSURE.' No.605,217.

Patented June 7,1898.

UNITED STATES 4PATEri-fr OEEr-cE.

EDMOND M. TUDOR BODDAM, OF MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-TENTH`TOGEORGE lGARIBALDI TURRI, OF SAME PLACE.

PRODUCING AND STO'R'ING `-GAS UNDER HIGH PRESSURE.

SPECIFICATION forming part` of ,Letters Patent No. 605,217, dated June7, 1898.`

Application led October 29,1896. Serial No. 610,504. (No model.) y

` T0 LLZZ whom t may concern,.-

Beit known that I, EDMoND MEYER TUDOR BODDAM, engineer, a subjectof theQueen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and a residentof 159 Queen street, Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, have inventedan Improved Method of and Apparatus for Producing and Storing Gas UnderHigh Pressure for Propulsion and other Purposes,

of which the following is a speciiication.

This method of producing and storing gas consists in the gradualcombustion in rapid succession of a number of small charges of aslow-burning smokeless gas-producing coin- -pound by means of suitablemachinery and ignition appliances in a sufficiently strongly constructedand commodious receiver, from which it can be released as required forany suitable purpose, such as the propulsion of shell-torpedoes andother warlike missiles.

Vhile various well-known explosive compounds are adapted for the purposeherein referred to, I prefer nitrated guncotton, having mixed therewithabout eight per cent., more or less, of nitroglycerin, and one-half percent., more or less, of some such substance as urea. This compound ispreferably made up in cylindrical charges of great density and ispreferably unperforated, so as to burn slowly, preferably entirely fromone end.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which the same partsare indicatedv by the same numerals throughout the several views.

Figure 1 represents an end View of the apparatus as seen from the leftof Figs. 2 and o. Fig. 2 represents a central vertical section made bythe plane c of Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 3 represents a plan view, partly in section, the section being thatof the horizontal' ing a circular projection 2 on one end eccentric withthe central line of the body, is used as a central piece orreceiver-body. In approximately the center of this body 1 is acombustion-chamber 3 of suitable diameter and having one closed end5-viz., that end remote from the cylindrical,eccentric projection. Aboveand below this combustion-chamber and left solid at the end next thecy1in.

by a screw-plug 6, (see Fig. 2,) and the two interrupted parts of thechamber are connected by the passages 10 and 10and the valve-chamber 11,the continuity of this passage being controlled by a suitable valve 63.The passage'lO opens into the short portion of the chamber 6, betweenthe plug 6a and the perforated screw-plug 6b, through which latterpasses the distributing-pipe 12, preferably langed on its inner end, asat 12, and the joint is protected from leakage bya suitable packing-ringor gas-check 12". The end of the other, preferably the lower, chamber 6,is closed by a screw-plug 6C, preferably made removable, so that thesolid matter deposited from combustion may be washed out when desired.

The circular eccentric projection 2 at the end of the central forginghas screwed over it a cylindrical collar 13, having an annular rib 14,projecting inward toward its axis. This rim 14 incloses and holds inplace a projecting rim 15 on a circular disk 16 of sufficient thicknessto have bored therein chambers 17 large enough to contain the cylindersof combustible or explosive composition. These chambers 17 are boredequidistant from the center and arranged to pass sert'- atim over theopen end of the combustionchamber 18 when the disk is turned.' Thecontiguous faces 19 of the eccentric projection and of the diskcontaining the chambers are tted true, and the mouths of the chambers 17are included within an annular packingring 20, which prevents the escapeof much gas between the vsurfaces of the chamber, disk, and 'theprojection 2. Any suitable number of chambers 17 are bored in the disk16 to contain the charges, and one chamber 21 is constructed to containa valve 22, preferably a piston-balanced valve, for closing the open end18 of the combustion-chamber,5

To close the'rear openings in the chainbered disk, another disk 23 ofsuitable diameter is provided, sliding backward and for-,

ward on guide-rods 24, fixed in the chamberedv disk 16 and-on thelargecentral pivot-bolt 25. This pivot-bolt is securely held in the disk 16against rearward pressure by means of the shoulder 25a, and is providedjust clear of the chamber closing disk 23 with interrupted screw-threads27, engaging with corresponding screw-threads on -the locking-nut 26,op-

erated by thehand-lever 26a. The rear end of the bolt 25 is reduced indiameter to allow the nut 26 to slide freely to the rear when it isdisengaged from the interrupted screwthreads 27. The bolt 25 ispreferably rigidly held in the chambered disk 16, as by shrinking on thedisk or by keys 16, as shown in Fig. 4.

The disk 23, on its face` opposite to each Chamber 17, has anobturating-pad 28, forming a substantially gas-tight joint against theedge `of each chamber when the disk 23 is clamped home by theinterrupted screw 27 and nut 26.

An opening 29 is left in the chamber-closing disk 23 to enable the valve22 to be opened and closed before the disk 23 is withdrawn for loadingor the chambered disk 16 rotated. The valve 22 is shown as screwed downby means of the valve-rod 21"L and hand-wheel 21", and the valve-rod issupported by the hanger 21C, dependent from the washer 21d, slipped overthe free end of the bolt 25; but any suitable form of valve or means foroperating the same may be adopted, if desired, as I do not claim theconstruction of the valve or its details as a part of Vmy invention.

The chambered disk 16 and the chamberclosing disk 23, clamped to it, maybe rotated by hand or by suitable gearing, but preferably by means ofthe gearing hereinafter described. A shaft 47 is rotated by means oflany suitable'motive power, indicated, for instance, by the pulley 48.This shaft 47 carries a worm 49, which gears with a wormwheelAO, fixedto the circumference of the chambered disk 16. The shaft 47 is free tomove in the direction of its length in its bearings, and the end 51presses against the volute spring 52. On the shaft 47 is africtionpulley 53, pressing against another frictionpulley 54, which inits turn presses against the friction-pulley 55, (see Fig. 3,) workingon the shaft 56, and thus moving the worm 57 in the same direction asthe worm 49. The worm 57 gears into the worm-wheel 58, having two setsof teeth 59 60 on its rim, the set 60 gearing with av small pinion 61,which has fast to its shaft 62 a cam-lever 39, arranged to push backwardthe catch-pin 40, fixed to the bolt 41, and release the disk 16. Thisbolt being normally pressed against the face of the disk 16, as will b ehereinafter described, enters the recesses 64 left in the chambered disk16 just as each chamber comes opposite to the end of thecombustion-chamber 18,

and thus locks the chambered disk in the.

proper position for firing a charge until released by the cam-lever 39.Rotation being given to the shaft 47, the shaft 56 also rotates,

Vand consequently both the chambered disk 16 and cam-pinion 61 arerotated until the cam-lever 39 releases the catch-'pin 40 and the boltmoves forward and holds the disk 16. The cam-lever, however, continuesto travel around and releases the bolt at each revolution, thus allowingthe chambered disk to rotate through the angle subtended by the arcbetween the centers of two of the chambers for each revolution of thecam-lever 39.

During the stoppage of the chambered disk 16 the worm 49 and shaft 47 donot stop revolving, buty are pushed bodily to the left, compressing thespring 52 instead of turning the disk 16, and thus a step-by-step motionis imparted to the chambered disk and a continuous movement to thecam-lever 39. The chambers 17 are thereby successivelybrought oppositeto the opening in the combustionchamber 18, and the charges containedtherein are ignited, as hereinafter described.

The rod 41 is periodically pushed to the right soA IOC)

by the lever 39, as hereinbefore described, and

the rod 42 is normally pressed in the reverse direction by means of thecoil-spring 42a, (see Fig. 2,) and thus reciprocating motion is impartedto the catch-pin 40. A furtherresult of the reciprocating motion ofthe'rods 41 and 42 is to supply the primers seratz'm for firing theseveral charges in the chambers 17. This is done as follows: A vent oriiring-channel 30 is bored through the receiver-body 1 from just abovethe firing-chamber 18 to a point in the upper surface of thereceiver-body just below the slide 3l,which slide is reciprocated in thechamber 32 by means of the rods 41 and 42, as before described. Thisvent 30 registers with a corresponding vent 30, connecting the frontface of the disk 16 with its corresponding chamber 17 when the saidchamber is in the firing position. Thus it will be seen that when eachchamber is in the firing position there will be a continuous passagefrom the base of the slide 31 to that one of the chambers that is to bered. This slide 31 is perforated, as shown in Fig. 1, the upper portionof the perforation being somewhat enlarged to form a primer-chamber 33,capable of receiving a suitable primer, electric or otherwise, butpreferably an electric primer. The lower orifice of this primer-chamberis so arranged as to'register with the upper orifice of the vent 30 whenthe slide 31 reaches that limit of its travel that coincides with thelocked position of the chambered disk 16, at which time it will be seenthat there is a continuous vent or passage from the primer to the chargeabout to be fired.

Over the slide 3l and in the line of travel of the primer-chamber 33 acircular opening is left in the cover of the chamber, in which a tube37, containing (one above the other) the requisite number of primers 3Sfor a complete revolution of the chamber-disks, are placed, so that theprimers 3S will drop into the slide in succession by gravity. The slideasit is pushed forward by the cam-lever 39 in the chamber 32 receives atthe end of its stroke from the tube 37 a single primer,which drops downinto the primer-chamber 3l. As soon as the rotation of the cam 39releases the catch-pin 40, the slide 3l will be pushed to the farthestlimit of its travel in the opposite direction by means of the spring 42,and when the catch-pin 40 locks the disk 16 the primer will be over thevent 30 and ready for firing.

The firing may be accomplishedby means of an electric battery attachedto the wires 35 or in any other convenient way.

It will be obvious that any mechanic skilled in electricity could soarrange the electrical connections that each primer could be firedautomatically as soon as the several'parts arrive at the iring position,and thus the s everal charges might be fired automatically; but thisbeing a mere matter of arrangement and not, properly speaking, a part ofmy invention will not be further described.

In order to prevent excessive pressure from being generated in thereceiver,'the hereinafter-described safety attachment is provided. Apiston 44, located near the end of the chamber 3, bears against heavycupsprings 45, which are compressed between the said piston and thescrew-plug 5. The piston 44 is provided with suitable gas-check 44g.This plug may be perforated, as at 5, to relieve the back pressure fromleakage around the piston 44, as is well known in kindred devices. Tothe pistou is attached the piston-rod 44, carrying the stout resilientarm 44, Fig. 2, connected by the rod 46 to the lever 46, Fig. 3, whichoperates the locking-bolt 43, constructed like the catch-pin 4l, toengage in one of the holes 64 in the disk 16.

lVhen the pressure vbecomes excessive in the receiver, the piston 44moves backward against the opposing pressure of the cupsprings, causingJ[he resilient arm to bend somewhat, pressing the bolt 43 against theface of the disk 16, until one of the holes 64 is in position to beengaged by the lockingbolt 43, when the said bolt will slide into thesaid hole and will lock the disk 16 against further rotation, until thepressure in the receiver falls low enough to permit the capsprings 45 toreturn the piston 44 to the initial position. Thus it will be seen thatwhen the pressure in the receiver exceeds apredetermined limit,regulated by means of the springs 45, no further charges can be iiredAinto the receiver..l As 'an additional provision against accidents anysuitable safetyvalve may be employed; but these being well known forkindred purposes are not shown or described.

The receiver may be discharged through the slide-valve 63 in the chamberl1, which may be operated in any convenient way, or any other well-knownform of discharge-valve may be adopted, if desired.

In order to provide for automatic closing v of the discharge-valve whenthe secondary receiver, s uch as is shown in my application, Serial No.610,505, iled October 29, 1896, and entitled Improvements in pneumaticguns, is charged to the requisite pressure, I provide the arrangementshown in Figs. 2 and 5, where the slide-valve 63 has its stem 65terminate at one end in the piston 66 and at the other end is providedwith a collar 69, bearing against the volute spring 70. The pipe 68 isconnected to the escape-pipe 68 from the safety-valveg7l of thesecondary receiver, preferably through an interposed reservoir chamberor dome 72, although this is not necessary. This safety-valve 71 has a4small hole 7la therethrough to allow asmall amount of gas to flowthrough in either direction. As soon as the safety-valve of thesecondary receiver begins to blow off,the pressure therefrom will enterthe cylinder 67 through the pipe 63, and will press the piston backwardagainst the action of the spring 70, causing the valve 63 to assume theclosed position shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Now if the secondary receiver bedischarged or its pressure lowered, as in firing a gun therefrom, partof the gas from cylinder 67 will flow through the hole 71 into thesecondary receiver, reducing the pressure in the cylinder 67. When thepressure in the cylinder 67 falls, the spring 70 again opens the valve63, and thus automatic charging of the secondary receiver is againeffected. In this manner the secondary receiver is charged and rechargedfrom the main receiver automatically and without excessive shock. Thesecondary receiver (shown in detail in my application, Serial No.610,505, before referred to) is indicated in Fig. 5 bythe centralportion 1 and the tubes 9, connected by the pipe 12 with the mainreceiver and opening, as at 12X, into the pipes or other passagesconnected to the gun to be ired. It will be obvious that a plurality ofsuch secondary receivers may be connected to the main or centralreceiver to be charged and recharged automatically, vas has just beendescribed.

It will be obvious that various modifications of the herein-describedapparatus might be made which could be used Without departing from thespirit of my invention.

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.. exceeds a predetermined limit, substantially as described. Y

2.- The method of production, storage, and distribution of gases underpressure which consists in successively firing a number of small chargesof explosive into a main receiver, and in automatically charging fromsaid main receiver one or more secondary receivers whenever the pressurein said secondary receivers falls below a predetermined limit,substantially as described.

3. The method of production, storage, and distribution of gases underpressure which consists Vin successively firing a number of smallcharges of explosive into a main receiver, and in automatically chargingfrom said -main receiver one or more secondary receivers whenever thepressure in said secondary receivers falls below a predetermined limit,and also automatically stopping the further tiring of said charges whenthe pressure in the main receiver exceeds a predetermined limit,substantially as described.

4. An apparatus for the production and storage of gases under pressure,comprising a plurality of strong hollovsT cylinders secured to ah'eavychambered central piece, the chambers in said-cylinders and infsaidcentral piece communicatingwith one another, means for successively ring a plurality of small charges into the said system of chambers, andmeans for automatically stopping the-further firing of said charges whenthe pressure of the gases4 exceeds a rpredetermined limit, substantiallyas described. Y

5. An apparatus for the production and storage of gases under pressure,comprising a plurality of Vstrong hollow cylinders secured to a heavychambered central piece, the chambers in said cylinders and in saidcentral piece communicating with one another, a tiringchamber in saidcentral piece, a chambered disk for holding a plurality of smallexplosive charges, means for rotating said disk and causing said chargesto register seriati'm with said firing-chamber and means for firing saidcharges, substantially as described.

6. An apparatus :for the production and storage of gases under pressure,comprising a plurality of strong hollow cylinders secured to a heavychambered central piece, the charnbers in said cylinders and in saidcentral piece communicating with one another, a firingchamber in saidcentral piece, a chambered disk for holding a plurality of smallexplosive charges, means for rotating said disk and causing said chargesto register sefr'z'atz'm with determined limit, substantially asdescribed. y

7. An apparatus for the production and storage of gases under pressure,comprising a plurality of strong hollow cylinders secured to a heavychambered central piece, the chambers in said cylinders and in saidcentral piece communicating with one another, means for successivelyfirin ga plurality of small charges into the said system of chambers,and means for automatically stopping the further firing of said chargeswhen the pressure of the gases exceeds a predetermined limit, comprisinga piston, heavy springs bearing against the rear face of said piston andresistingthe pressure in the central chamber, and stop mechanismoperated by said piston and controlling the further movement ofy saidchambered disk, substantially as described. i

8. An apparatus for the production and storage of gases under pressure,comprising a plurality of strong hollow cylinders secured to a heavychambered central piece, the chambers in said cylinders and in saidcentral piece communicating with one another, a iiringchamber in'saidcentral piece, a. chambered disk for holding a plurality of smallexplosive charges, means for rotating said disk and causing said chargesto register seratim with said 'firing-chamber, means for firing saidcharges, and means regulated by therise of pressure of the gases forstopping the rota- `tion of the chambered disk and VJthe further firingof said charges, and thus automatically regulating the pressure to apredetermined limit, substantially as described.

9. An apparatus for the production and storage of gases under pressure,comprising a plurality of strong hollow cylinders secured to a heavychambered central piece, the chambers inY said cylinders andin saidcentral piece communicating with one another, a firingchamber in saidcentral piece, a chambered disk for holding a plurality of smallexplosive charges, means for rotating said disk and causing said chargesto register 'seriatm with said firing-chamber, and means for firing saidcharges, and means for automatically stopping the further ring of saidcharges when the pressure of the gases exceeds a predetermined limit,comprising a piston, heavy springs bearing against the rear face of saidpiston and resisting the pressure in the central chamber, and stopmechanism operated by said piston and controlling the further movementof said chambered disk, substantially as described.

10. An apparatus i'or the production, storage, and distribution of gasesunder pressure, comprising a main receiver and one ormore. secondaryreceivers connected thereto, means for successively firing a pluralityof small IOO IIO

charges of explosive material into said main receiver, and means forautomatically charging and recharging said secondary receiver orreceivers from the main receiver when the pressure in the secondaryreceiver or receivers falls below a predetermined limit, sub-vstantially as described. Y

ll. An apparatus for the production, storage and distribution of gasesunder pressure, comprising a main receiver and one or more secondaryreceivers connected thereto, means for successively iring a plurality ofI small charges of explosive material into said main receiver, means forautomatically checking the firing of said charges when the pressure inthe main receiver exceedsapredetermined limit, and means forautomatically charging and recharging said secondary receiver orreceivers from the main receiver when the pressure in the secondaryreceiver or receivers falls below a predetermined limit, substantiallyas described.

l2. An apparatus for the production, Stor age, and distribution of gasesunder pressure, comprising a main receiver and one or more secondaryreceivers connected thereto, each of said receivers comprising a heavychambered central piece and a plurality of strong hollow cylinderssecured thereto, the chambers in said cylinders and in said centralpiece communicating with one another,means for successively firing aplurality of small charges of explosive material into said mainreceiver, and means for automatically charging and recharging saidsecondary receiver or receivers from the main receiver when the pressurein the secondary receiver or receivi ers falls below a predeterminedlimit, substantially as described.

13. An apparatus for the production, storage and distribution of gasesunder pressure, comprising a main receiver and one or more secondaryreceivers connected thereto, each of said receivers comprising a heavychambered central piece and a plurality of strong hollow cylinderssecured thereto, the chambers in said cylinders and in said centralpiece communicating with one another, means for successively ring aplurality of small charges of explosive material into said mainreceiver, means for automatically checking the firing of said chargeswhen the pressure in the main receiver exceeds a predetermined limit,and means for automatically charging and recharging said secondaryreceiver orreceivers from the main receiver when the pressure in thesecondary receiver or receiversfalls below a predetermined limit,substantially as described. Y

14. An apparatus for the production, storage, and distribution of gasesunder pressure, comprising a main receiver and one or more secondaryreceivers connected thereto, means for successively firing a pluralityof small charges of explosive material into said main receiver, andmeans for automatically charging and 'recharging said secondary receiveror receivers from the main receiver when the pressure in the secondaryreceiver or receivers falls below a predetermined limit, comprising asafety-valve on the secondary receiver, a spring-operated valve on themain receiver normally closing the connecting-passage from the mainreceiver to the secondary receiver, and means operated by the escape ofiiuid past said safetyfvalve for closing the former valve against theaction ofsaid spring, substantially as described.

15. An apparatus for the production, story age and distribution of gasesunder pressure,

comprising a main receiver and one or more secondary receivers connectedthereto, means for successively firing a plurality of small charges ofexplosive material into said main receiver, means for automaticallychecking the iii-ing of said charges when the pressure in the mainreceiver exceeds a predetermined limit, and means for automaticallycharging and recharging said secondary receiver or receivers from themain receiver when the pressure in the secondary receiver or receiversfalls below a predetermined limit, com prising a safety-valve on thesecondary receiver, a spring-operated valve on the main receivernormally closing the connecting-pas-y sage from the main-receiver to thesecondary receiver, and means operated by the escape of fluid past saidsafety-valve for closing the former valve against the action of saidspring, substantially as described.

16. An apparatus for the production, storage, and distribution o f gasesunder pressure, comprising a main receiver and one or more secondaryreceivers connected thereto, means for successively firing a pluralityof small charges of explosive material into said main receiver, andmeans for automatically charging and recharging said secondary receiveror receivers from the main receiver when the pressure in the secondaryreceiver or receivers falls below a predetermined limit, comprising aperforated safety-valve on the secondary receiver, a spring-operatedslide-valve on the main receiver and normally closing theconnecting-passage from the main receiver to the secondary receiver, apiston-rod fast tosaid valve, a piston on said rod, and a cylinderinclosing said piston and connected to the escape-pipe from saidsafety-valve, substantially as described.

17. An apparatus for the production, storage and distribution of gasesunder pressure, comprising a main receiver and one or more secondaryreceivers connected thereto, means for successively firing a pluralityof smallI charges of explosive material into said main receiver, meansfor automatically checking IOO IIO

the firing of said charges when the pressure in the main receiverexceeds a predetermined limit, and means for automatically charging andrecharging said secondary receiver or receivers from the mainreceiver,when the pres sure in the secondary receiyer or receivers fallsbelow a predetermined limit, comprising a perforated safety-valve on thesecondary receiver, a spring-operated slide-valve on the main receiverand normally closing the connecting-passage from the main receiver tothe secondary receiver, a piston-rod fast to said valve, a piston onsaid rod and a cylinder inclosing said piston and connected to theescape-pipe fromsaid safety-valve, substantially as described.

18. In an apparatus of the character described the means forcontrollingthe pressure in themain receiver which consists of a piston, subjectedon one side to the pressure of the gases, strong cup-springs bearing onthe other side of said piston, a piston-rod projecting from said pistonand apparatus regulated by the motion of said piston against said springs for checking the further discharge of pressure-producing charges,substantially as described.

19.1In an apparatus of thecharacter described the means for con trollingthe pressure in the main receiver which consists of a piston subjectedon one side to the pressure of the gases, 'strong cup-springs bearing onthe other side of said piston, a piston-rod projecting from said pistonand stop mechanism operated by the motion of said piston-rod forstopping the operation of the pressure-pro-y ducing apparatus,substantially as described.-

20. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination With afiring-chamber, of a centrally-pivoted disk provided with a plurality ofcartridge-chambers grouped in a circle about said pivot, means forimparting a step-by-step motion to said disk, means for separatelysupplying primers to the apparatus, and means for firing said primers,substantially as described.

2l. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with aiiring-chamber, of a centrally-pivoted disk provided With a plurality ofcartridge-chambers grouped in a circle about said pivot, means forimparting a step-by-step motion to said disk, means for separatelysupplying primers to the apparatus, and means for automatically irin gsaid primers, substantially as described.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with afiring-cham-4 ber, of a centrally-pivoted diskv provided with aplurality of cartridge-chambers grouped in a circle about said pivot,means for simultaneously imparting a step-by-step motion to said disk,and for separately supplying primers to the apparatus, and means forfiring said primers, substantially as described.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with afiring-chamber, of a centrally-pivoted disk provided with a plurality ofcartridge-chambers grouped in a circle about said pivot, means forimparting a step-by-step motion to said disk, means for separatelysupplying primers to the apparatus, and means for tiring said primerswith means operated by the pressure of the gasesv for stopping themotion of said disk when the pressure exceeds a predetermined limit,substantially as described.

24. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with atiring-chamber, of a centrally-pivoted disk provided-With a plurality ofcartridge-chambers grouped-in a circle about said pivot, means forimparting a step-by-step motion to said disk, means for separatelysupplying primers to the apparatus, and means for automatically firingsaid primers,with means operated by the pressure ofthe gases forstopping the motion of said disk When the pressure exceeds apredetermined limit, substantially as described.

25. In an apparatus of the character de-` scribed, the combination witha tiring-chamber, of a centrally-pivoted disk provided with a pluralityof cartridge-chambers grouped in a circle about said pivot, means forsimultaneously imparting a step-by-step motion to said disk, and forseparately supplying primers to the apparatus, and means for firing saidprimers, with means operated by the pressure of the gases for stoppingthe motion of said disk when the pressure exceeds a pre- K determinedlimit, substantially as described. 26. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed, the combination with a ring-chamber, of a centrally-pivoteddisk provided With a plurality of cartridge-chambers grouped in l acircle about said pivot, means for simul- EDMOND M. TUDOR BODDAM.

Witnesses:

G. G. TURRI, W H. CUBLEY.

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